CONFIDENTIAL
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CABINET MEETING: 28 SEPTEMBER: HONG KONG
BACKGROUND
Mr Maude's visit to Hong Kong, 17 19 September
1.
Mr Maude's impressions of his visit are set out in his minute of 20 September. As the first member of the new FCO Ministerial team to visit Hong Kong, Mr Maude received considerable attention from the Hong Kong press. Although feelings on the key issues still run very deep, the atmosphere of the visit was not as emotionally charged as at the time of Sir Geoffrey Howe's visit. The visit went as well as could be expected and press coverage was favourable. The transcript of Mr Maude's press conference is attached.
2. The visit was dominated by three issues: nationality, Vietamese boat people and constitutional development. On nationality, Mr Maude explained that an announcement of a nationality package (which has been expected in Hong Kong since the end of July) was likely to be further delayed. The scope and timing of a nationality package will be discussed at OD(K) on 26 October. On Vietnamese boat people, Mr Maude was faced with strong demands for early action on mandatory repatriation but was careful not to make any commitment in advance of discussion at OD(K) on 4 October.
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Joint Liaison Group
3. The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group is the mechanism set up under the Joint Declaration to conduct consultations on the implementation of the Joint Declaration and to discuss matters relating to the smooth transfer of government in 1997. Plenary meetings are held at least three times a year, alternating between Peking, London and Hong Kong. The thirteenth plenary meeting which was to have taken place on 18-21 July in London was postponed as one of the measures announced by Sir G Howe following the events of 3-4 June. The meeting was subsequently rescheduled for 27-29 September following the meeting between the Secretary of State and his Chinese counterpart on 30 July. After the initial revulsion following the June massacre, public opinion in Hong Kong has moved towards reacceptance of the need for dialogue with China and the resumption of JLG work has been welcomed. The next JLG plenary meeting is likely to take place in Hong Kong by the end of the year.
4.
This week's meeting will be of an exceptional character in which both sides will want to get their version of events on record before cooperation can resume. The text of Mr McLaren's opening statement is attached.
JAZABE
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27.1.)..